Thanks Sinktip. Kush can you confirm that "Juro's Delight" was McClelland's 16 yr? I just went to the liquor store and couldn't find a 16. I live in logging country and the local store is big on Wild Turkey and EverClear, but not so hot on scotch.

I have tried many others but I am by no means an expert. By the time I have had one drink my taste buds go south. By the time I have had two, I follow them.

The McLaren Speyside is the best to my taste. I bought two bottles to bring to the PNW Clave, but the dates and locations changed so often and so fast that by the time I figured it all out (IF I figured it all out) it was too late to make arrangements so I drank one of the bottles and saved the other. I've got two more on the way though - wanna have another clave?

I made notes from the Chum thread but I would be interested in more suggestions from any of you alco...ummm "social drinkers" yah, that's it...social drinkers out there.

I believe the scotch Tyler prefers is Macallan, a fine highland malt. The 18 yr goes for a pretty penny but is worth every bit. I've polished off the last of my Macallan last winter while tying flies. I am currently on my second doublewood Balvenie of the year with just a bit left in one bottle. This one was introduced to me by Pete Lavoilette from Calgary while fishing on Cape Cod together.

I have two Islay malts in the cabinet - Bunnahabin and Laphroaig. I like the Bunnahabin a lot but I have to be in the mood to drink 'the frog'. Some of our guests like it so I keep it around.

I've really enjoyed Glenmorangie in single cask and sherry wood as well.

Also like Glenlivit, Oban is a nice highland malt, and I have some other single malts I couldn't name without running downstairs to read the labels. Obviously I am not expert either but I really do like the sit and sip the single malt elixir. It never warms the heart like it does when sipped from a flask on a winter steelhead river!

As Juro says my preference is definitely The Macallan's - the 18 yr old is beyond good and the 12 yr old is like the Thompson River itself - all I need!

Now that we are talking about the things that really piss the "Bubbas" off about we snooty flyfishermen - how about some good cigars? In that up here in Canada we are on good terms with Fidel my tastes lie in that direction. My favourite stogie is a Montecristo #2, but that 9 1/2" Sancho Panza that I smoked next to the campfire after a great day on the Thompson will be hard to top!

Now that the Thompson season has ended for me I will have to content myself with The Macallan's, A #2 and some equally fine memories. I think that I'll make it...

As some of you Aqua vitae fanciers are no doubt aware, United Distillers markets a nice selection of really good, almost affordable, single malts, each chosen as exemplary of the region from whence it wafts. These being Talisker, from Skye; Oban from the west coast; Glenkinchie, lowland; Dalwhinnie, central highlands; Lagavulin, Islay; and Cragganmore, Spey. Lagavulin and Cragganmore are my personal favorites, and are wonderful specimens of mild, favorful whisky and very authorative whisky respectedly. I think Juro once described Lagavulin as tasting like soaked cigar butts -- it's an acquired taste and not for the squeamish --but once acquired, the nectar of the Gods.

For the curious, visit the web site at www.scotch.com (really). This is not a commerical message as I would never align myself with a firm that promotes putting ice(gasp)in whisky.

Ah the Classic Malts of Scotland! I agree with you on both Cragganmore and Lagavulin. The latter is indeed an aquired taste but I like it. The Oban is also a fine malt as is the Glenkinchie for those who prefer a lighter taste. Have yet to taste either the Dalwhinnie or Talisker.

There have been a number of single malts listed here so let me add one more that I happened onto in of all places, New Orleans. It is the LeDaig 20. A fine full bodied malt with just the right amount of peat.

All this talk of scotch has helped deaden the pain of the river closures. It's true, it is medicinal.

I can't help with the cigars..I'm a weenie. However, I do love my pipe filled with Lane's 1Q along with my scotch. Over the years I have spent more money than my wife need know about on every pipe tobacco out there, trying to find one that was pleasurable to me and pleasurable or at least non-offensive to my wife. Lane's 1Q, a cheap tobacco, filled the bill to the extent that a month ago I sent over 20 assorted tins of unopened tobaccos to a friend. I guess that I'm a failure as a connoisseur. St. Croix rods, Pflueger reels and cheap pipe tobacco. But, what the hell, I even caught a fish once and I do love good single malt. I can't be all bad.

On topic: when (not if) we bridge the gap between steelhead afficionados and the briny Cape Cod surf with your visits to the east coast, I hope we are able to visit John Morin's "Chatham Anglers Club". Like Tyler's Martini Bar, it is an artifact of the fly fishing venue of the area. John is a cigar connoisseur and there always seems to be an open bottle of scotch and a fire on cool nights before the morning's chase.

Likewise, I hope the burnt palms of the salter FF crew in striper country get the chance to feel the steel, the acrobatic leaps and lightning runs of the ultimate trout in the grandeur of the pacific northwest.

And then there's monster albies in NC, bones and tarpon in the caribe, wild trout in mountain streams, atlantics on the Gaspe....